Ebola Fears Grow After More Than 30 Deaths Reported at Congo Displacement Camp

Health officials and aid workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are raising alarm after at least 30 people died at the Kigonze displacement camp in Bunia since early May, with many victims showing symptoms linked to Ebola.

Camp officials said the death rate is far higher than normal. The camp, which shelters more than 15,000 displaced people, usually records only a few deaths each month. Victims reportedly suffered from fever, vomiting, and severe headaches, symptoms commonly associated with Ebola.

Health teams faced difficulties confirming infections because many families refused testing for both patients and bodies. Samples from several victims were finally collected this week, while officials continue waiting for laboratory results.

Overcrowding and Poor Sanitation Increase Health Risks

Aid organizations warned that overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation may accelerate the spread of disease inside the camp. Families live in tightly packed shelters, while overflowing toilets and limited access to clean water remain serious concerns.

Humanitarian groups said funding cuts have weakened water, hygiene, and sanitation services across eastern Congo. United Nations data shows support for hygiene infrastructure dropped sharply in 2025 compared with the previous year.

Several international aid organizations also confirmed that US-funded sanitation projects in Ebola-affected regions were reduced or suspended after recent budget cuts.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Eastern Congo

The Ebola outbreak was officially declared in May, though officials believe infections may have started earlier. More than 90% of nearly 900 confirmed Ebola cases are linked to Ituri province, where Bunia is located.

Local leaders and humanitarian workers fear the virus could spread rapidly among the region’s millions of displaced civilians if testing, sanitation, and medical support do not improve quickly.